Christian World | Christian Solidarity International says five Christians were killed and five abducted, missing or detained in Syria from July to September 2026

ACW | October 23, 2026 — Christian Solidarity International (CSI) said in a quarterly report published on Thursday, October 15, that five Christians were killed in Syria between July 1 and September 30, 2026.

According to the report, five other Christians were abducted, went missing or were detained in the same period. It was published under the title "Syria report: attacks on religious minorities July-Sept 2026".

CSI wrote that Alawites, Druze, Shiites and Christians in Syria are at heightened risk of abduction or extrajudicial killing. It said Alawite women and girls face a particular risk of sexual violence and forced marriage.

According to CSI, a bomb exploded inside a commuter van in Jaramana, near Damascus, on August 6. Three people were killed that day and dozens were wounded; a Christian woman died of her wounds three weeks later.

The report says Christian communities in Saidnaya and Marmarita cancelled public August feast celebrations for the second year running because of insecurity. The report does not include a response from Syria's transitional government.

Background: Syria ranks sixth on Open Doors' 2026 World Watch List, up from 18th a year earlier. Open Doors called it the biggest climber on the list.

Why it matters: According to CSI, Christians, together with Alawites, Druze and Shiites, are among the groups at heightened risk of abduction and killing in Syria — a threat to freedom of religion or belief in a country Open Doors ranks sixth on its 2026 persecution list.

ACW will continue to follow this story.

Sources: Christian Solidarity International (CSI) — Syria report: attacks on religious minorities July-Sept 2026; Open Doors — 2026 World Watch List

Photo: Christian Solidarity International (CSI)

Correction, October 23, 2026: The first version of this story cited Christian Daily International as its source, dated the report October 21, and said four Christians were killed and six abducted or detained. CSI's original report was published on October 15 and names five Christians killed and five abducted, missing or detained in the quarter.